1789 Capital rejected Jamie Raskin's inquiry into Donald Trump Jr.'s firm on September 9, 2026, saying it would not be held hostage to political gamesmanship. The letter declined to provide the records Raskin requested, keeping the dispute over the firm's investments and administration contacts in place.
Alexander J. Merton and William A Burck sent the response in a letter shared with CBS News. They wrote that 1789 Capital “has no intention of being held hostage to political gamesmanship” and dismissed the inquiry as a “spaghetti-against-the-wall approach.”
Raskin’s Records Request
Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, launched what he called an investigation last month. He alleged that 1789 Capital bought stakes in some companies shortly before they received federal government funding or favorable policy decisions, and he cited Polymarket, Juul, Anduril Industries and Vulcan.
His request sought a list of companies in Trump Jr.'s investment firm's portfolio, due diligence materials for its investments and preservation of conversations with members of the Trump administration, including messages sent via encrypted apps. 1789 Capital shared none of the materials requested.
1789 Capital’s Response
The lawyers also rejected Raskin's characterization of the firm’s business activity as “almost clairvoyant.” They said the rare-earth company at issue had received federal business dating to 2024 before the financing round in which 1789 Capital participated, and they described the firm as one of many institutional investors in the company.
Emily Stellakis, speaking on Wednesday, said she would be glad to comment on the response “as soon as they actually send it to us.” Her remark underscored how the exchange remained at the letter-writing stage even after the public dispute had already formed around the requested records.
House Control In November
The timing adds pressure to the fight. The letter went out one day before the Republicans' first-of-its-kind midterm convention in Texas was set to begin, and Donald Trump Jr. was scheduled to be in Dallas on Thursday for the event.
House Democrats have sent letters in recent months demanding information from government officials, Trump family members and firms that have done business with either. If control of the U.S. House flips in the November elections, Democrats may gain subpoena power and a stronger route to the records Raskin is now seeking.
For now, the practical result is simple: 1789 Capital has refused the request, Raskin has not received the records, and the next phase depends on whether the Democrats can turn their letters into formal House power in November.
